Pray that Persecuted Christians Will Stand Strong through the Storm

For Josin leaving his Muslim faith meant daily threats. Sadly, last month, after years of persecution, Josin recanted his faith and returned to Islam. Josin, belongs to the Bangingi people, an ethnic group within the Sama Muslim tribe in the Philippines. After a miraculous healing of a relative, he came to faith. Soon afterwards several family members followed and also accepted Christ. Disheartened by his decision to return to Islam his family members knew that it was only a matter of time before the constant pressure would break him.

For Shadiya, shortly after accepting Jesus, she found herself with the decision, “Deny Jesus or be stoned to death!” Only 18 years-old, she could not believe that her earthly life could come to an end. After receiving a severe beating by her Muslim father, Shadiya was told that she had to renounce her apostasy in public, otherwise the stoning would follow. Scared of what might happen she sought refuge at a family members’ home. Here, her brother-in-law, who also had converted in secret, told her to go along with her father’s request and openly deny her faith, but remain a secret follower of Jesus in her heart. Shadiya was not convinced that this was the right thing to do. But in the end, forced to speak publicity, she answered according to the advice of her brother-in-law. The prospect of becoming a martyr at the age of 18 was too much for her.